Annotated High Holy Day Service Schedule
SELICHOT
Community Selichot: Stories of Redemption
Saturday, September 17 at 7:30pm (At Beth El Synagogue/ IN-PERSON ONLY)
Join Rabbi Soffer and other area Rabbis to start the process of teshuvah. Hosted by Beth El Synagogue (1004 Watts St., Durham), come in-person for Selichot to hear Monti-style stories of forgiveness from several community members and, together, reflect on the past year in preparation for the High Holy days. Attendees must pre-register HERE. In partnership with Judea Reform Congregation, Beth El Synagogue, Kehillah Synagogue, Beth Meyer Synagogue, and Jewish for Good.
(If program needs to be held virtually, those who register ahead of time will receive the link.)
ROSH HASHANAH
Erev Rosh Hashanah 1-2-3: Happy Birthday World!
Sunday, September 25 at 4:00pm (In-person/outside at JRC)
Join Zemer Allan Friedman for songs, a story, and Rosh Hashanah blessings. Hear the shofar and have some treats. Service geared toward families with children aged 0-6. BYO blankets to sit on.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Sunday, September 25 at 7:30pm (In Levin Social Hall/ HYBRID)
Traditional Rosh Hashanah service will be led by Rabbi Soffer with lay cantors, musicians, and a message from President Heidi Tyson.
Rosh Hashanah Congregational Service
Monday, September 26 at 10:00am (In Levin Social Hall/ HYBRID)
Traditional Rosh Hashanah service led by Rabbi Soffer and Rabbi Damsky with lay cantors, Torah, and Shofar service.
Rosh Hashanah Family Service
Monday, September 26 at 11:00am (In sanctuary/ RECORDED)
Rosh Hashanah Family service led by Zemer Allan Friedman with musicians, Torah reading, Shofar service, and story from Michelle Crosbie. Geared toward families with children ages 5-12.
Apples & Honey Oneg
Following all Rosh Hashanah morning services, we invite those in-person to join us in the Monsein Community Court for an Apples & Honey Oneg, generously sponsored by the Monsein Family gift to the Judea Reform Endowment honoring Rabbi John S. Friedman.
Tashlich
Monday, September 26 at 12:45pm at Cornwallis Road Park (IN-PERSON ONLY)
Join Judea Reform’s Rabbi-in-Residence Robin Damsky for a spiritually enriching Tashlich ritual at Cornwallis Road Park. (Mild walking involved.)
Shabbat Shuvah
Friday, September 30 at 6:00pm (In sanctuary/HYBRID)
Come join us for Shabbat Shuvah—the special Shabbat between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Rabbi Robin Damsky will lead this Shabbat Service of “returning” and teshuvah.
YOM KIPPUR
Family Kol Nidre Service
Tuesday, October 4 at 5:30pm (In Levin Social Hall/HYBRID)
Yom Kippur family service led by Zemer Allan Friedman with musician and Torah reading, Shofar service, and story by Michelle Crosbie. Geared toward families with children ages 5-12.
Kol Nidre Service
Tuesday, October 4 at 8:00pm (In Levin Social Hall/ HYBRID)
Traditional Kol Nidre service let by Rabbi Soffer with cantors and musicians.
Yom Kippur Congregational Morning Service
Wednesday, October 5 at 10:00am (In Levin Social Hall/ HYBRID)
Traditional Yom Kippur morning service led by Rabbi Soffer and Rabbi Damsky with lay cantors, Torah reading and Vidui service.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Meditation & Conversation (All IN-PERSON ONLY)
12:30 Meditation: Led by Rabbi Robin Damsky (In Sanctuary)
On this day of At-One-Ment, take time to breathe into yourself, creating a deeper sense of wholeness. Returning (shuv-ing) to Source, we come closer to our essence, revealing our personal work of teshuvah for inner and outer healing. We’ll have time for mindful sitting, walking, and possibly gentle movement. No experience necessary, all ages and meditation levels welcome.
12:30 Teen Yom Kippur Activities: Led by Michelle Crosbie (In-person)
12:30 Discussion with Rabbi Soffer (Education Bldg: Classrooms 5&6)
Join Rabbi Soffer for a, sicat t'vshuva, a conversation on the meaning of return as we enter 5783.
Yom Kippur Healing Service
2:00 pm in Levin Social Hall/HYBRID
Join Judea Reform musicians as they offer prayers of comfort and wholeness in word, music, and silence.
Yom Kippur Afternoon Services (All in Levin Social Hall/ HYBRID)
3:00pm: 15 Step Avodah/Torah/Jonah Reading
4:00pm: Yizkor Service
4:45pm: Neilah Service
Community Break Fast
We invite you to stay after Yizkor & Neilah services to join us for a Community Break Fast provided by Judea Reform Congregation in the Monsein Community Court.
SUKKOT
Sukkot Under the Stars
Sunday, October 9 at 6:00pm (At Camp New Hope in Chapel Hill/ IN-PERSON ONLY)
Join us at 6:00 pm at Camp New Hope & Conference Center for a BYO picnic, followed by a (brief) joyous festival service with songs led by Rabbis Soffer & Damsky and Music Director Allan Friedman. A bonfire and kosher s'mores to follow. No RSVP needed. More information here.
SIMCHAT TORAH
Erev Simchat Torah Service
Sunday, October 16 at 5:00pm (In sanctuary/IN-PERSON)
Celebrate with us as we consecrate our new Religious School students and mark the Holy Day of Simchat Torah. See the entire Torah unrolled around the sanctuary, dance and sing to the festive tunes of JRC's very own klezmer band, and hear the last and first verses of our Torah as we roll our score back to “In the beginning".